Overview
- Gugnon submitted Janicic with a rear-naked choke 1:21 into the first round to win the UFC Belgrade main-card opener on Saturday.
- He used crushing leg kicks to cripple Janicic’s lead leg, followed by a quick takedown, back control with hooks, and the choke to end the fight.
- Both men were making their UFC debuts, and Gugnon’s win overturned pre-fight expectations that had initially favored Janicic on the odds board.
- The victory extends Gugnon’s recent run of stoppage wins and is noted in coverage as improving his pro record, while Janicic leaves the promotion with a loss in his home country.
- The result gives Gugnon momentum for a possible quick turnaround on upcoming cards, and it opened a Belgrade card that featured numerous promotional newcomers and local Serbian fighters.